VEHICLE INTERIOR BLACKOUT DEVICE
The partial blackout device with a pivotally assembled screen addresses the issue of inadequate shading adjustment in sun visors by allowing customizable shading levels and improved comfort through adjustable angles and compatibility with opaque screens.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RENAULT SA
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing sun visors in vehicles lack adjustable shading options and require users to choose between opaque and partial shading devices, leading to inadequate light adjustment and user comfort.
A partial blackout device with a pivotally assembled perforated or transparent screen that can be adjusted to varying angles with the opaque sun visor, allowing for customizable shading levels and compatibility with the opaque screen.
Enhances user comfort by providing adjustable shading levels and maintaining visibility while reducing brightness and enhancing privacy, with the option of a perforated screen creating a warm atmosphere.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: VEHICLE CABIN OBSTRUCTION DEVICE
[0001] The invention relates to a light blocking device for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
[0002] A vehicle interior, for example in a car or truck, generally includes at least one sun visor positioned opposite the upper part of the vehicle's windshield. A sun visor is used to protect the eyes of a vehicle occupant (for example, the driver or the passenger next to the driver) from excessive light coming from outside the vehicle. The sun visor thus improves the comfort of the vehicle occupant and reduces the risk of accidents.
[0003] A sun visor includes an opaque screen placed in front of the eyes of a vehicle occupant in the path of light coming from outside the vehicle.
[0004] There are occlusion devices that offer to extend the opaque screen of the sun visor or that offer an alternative to the total occlusion of the opaque screen of the sun visor.
[0005] Partial shading devices comprising transparent screens for reducing the intensity of light from outside directed towards the eyes of the vehicle occupant are known. Such shading devices are used as an alternative to the opaque screen. They can be removably attached to the opaque sun visor when the latter is held in a raised position against the roof of the passenger compartment. Once installed, these shading devices do not allow the opaque sun visor to be used to provide the user with total shading. It is then necessary to remove the partial shading device to be able to use the opaque sun visor again. Furthermore, the level of shading provided by these shading devices cannot be adjusted according to the needs of the vehicle occupant.
[0006] The object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
[0007] The invention therefore relates to a partial blackout device for vehicle interior, comprising a partial blackout screen and an assembly system configured to pivotally assemble the partial blackout screen to an opaque sun visor screen of the vehicle interior so that the opaque sun visor screen is disposed between the partial blackout screen and a windscreen of the vehicle.
[0008] The opaque screen of the sun visor can therefore be used even when the partial blackout screen is assembled to the opaque screen. Furthermore, the assembly system allows the angle between the opaque screen and the partial blackout screen to be varied.
[0009] The opaque screen can thus totally obscure an area of the partial occultation screen, more or less large depending on the angle between the opaque screen and the partial occultation screen.
[0010] For example, the opaque screen can totally obscure the partial obscuration screen when the opaque screen and the partial obscuration screen are oriented vertically.
[0011] The opaque screen may only partially obscure the partial obscuring screen when the opaque screen is raised towards the windshield and the partial obscuring screen is oriented vertically. Such an assembly system thus allows the level of obscuration to be adjusted according to the needs of a vehicle occupant. The partial obscuring device therefore improves the comfort of the vehicle occupant.
[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, said assembly system is configured to form a pivot joint about an axis extending along a longitudinal direction of the sun visor between the partial shading screen and the opaque screen of the sun visor. This axis may, in particular, extend in a direction that is at least substantially horizontal when the partial shading device is assembled to the sun visor in the vehicle.
[0013] Preferably, the assembly system is configured to allow the partial occultation screen to pivot around said pivot joint axis by gravity.
[0014] Thus, when the opaque sun visor is moved by a vehicle occupant from a position raised against the roof of the vehicle's passenger compartment to a vertical position, the partial shading screen can be pulled into a vertical position by gravity. Furthermore, when the opaque sun visor is raised towards the windshield, the partial shading screen can be held in a vertical position by gravity.
[0015] Advantageously, the partial occultation screen has longitudinal and transverse dimensions less than or equal to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the opaque screen.
[0016] In this way, the partial blackout screen can be assembled so that it does not extend lengthwise or crosswise beyond the opaque screen. This makes it easier for a vehicle occupant to grasp the opaque screen.
[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the assembly system comprises: - a removable mounting bracket configured to be assembled to the sun visor, and - at least one first assembly element configured to assemble the partial blackout screen to the mounting bracket by forming said pivot joint.
[0018] Preferably, the partial blackout screen is a perforated screen.
[0019] Such a perforated screen reduces brightness without completely blocking out light. This type of screen filters the light coming from outside the vehicle. By filtering the light, the perforated screen creates a warm atmosphere inside the vehicle.
[0020] Such a perforated screen also makes it possible to provide greater privacy in the vehicle's passenger compartment, by obstructing the view of the passenger compartment from outside the vehicle without completely blocking out the light.
[0021] Advantageously, the perforated screen comprises a set of perforated elements assembled together.
[0022] According to another aspect, a blackout system for a vehicle interior is proposed, comprising: - a sun visor with an opaque screen, - a partial shading device as defined previously assembled to the opaque screen of the sun visor.
[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the partial shading device is assembled to the sun visor in a removable manner.
[0024] Alternatively, the partial shading device is integrated into the sun visor in a non-removable manner.
[0025] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising a concealment system as defined above.
[0026] The invention also relates to a partial blackout device for a vehicle passenger compartment, the device comprising: - a perforated screen, and - an assembly system configured to assemble the perforated screen to a sun visor of a vehicle interior.
[0027] Such a perforated screen makes it possible to obtain partial occultation having the aforementioned advantages.
[0028] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon examination of the detailed description of embodiments, which are by no means limiting, and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0029] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a vehicle passenger compartment comprising a blackout system;
[0030] [Fig.2]
[0031] [Fig.3] and
[0032] [Fig.4] illustrate different configurations of an occultation system;
[0033] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates a partial occultation device comprising a perforated screen;
[0034] [Fig.6] and
[0035] [Fig.7] illustrate a partial occlusion device mounted removably on a sun visor;
[0036] [Fig.8] illustrates a partial occlusion device integrated into an opaque sun visor screen.
[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle cabin (HAB) of a vehicle (VE), for example, a car or a truck. The cabin includes a sunshade system (SYS) attached to a roof panel (PAV) of the cabin near the windshield (PB) of the vehicle. The roof panel (PAV) refers to the inner part of the vehicle's roof.
[0038] The SYS shading system includes a PS sun visor. The PS sun visor comprises an opaque EPS screen and a first SAS1 assembly system configured to assemble the opaque EPS screen to the PS roof of the passenger compartment.
[0039] The opaque EPS screen is placed in the path of light coming from outside the vehicle and is configured to completely block light coming from outside and in particular directed towards an OCC occupant of the vehicle.
[0040] The SAS1 assembly system forms a pivot joint between the opaque EPS screen and the PAV roof of the passenger compartment HAB. This pivot joint is formed around an axis AX1 extending along the longitudinal axis of the opaque EPS screen. This axis AX1 is thus oriented horizontally within the passenger compartment. The pivot joint formed by the SAS1 assembly system allows the opaque EPS screen to be positioned in a raised position in which it is raised against the PAV roof of the passenger compartment HAB, particularly when a vehicle occupant does not wish to use the sun visor PS. The pivot joint also allows the opaque EPS screen to be moved towards the windshield PB.
[0041] The SYS shading system also includes a partial shading device DOP assembled to the PS sun visor and comprising a partial shading screen EOP.
[0042] The EOP partial blackout screen is designed to reduce the intensity of light coming from outside the vehicle, particularly light directed towards the vehicle occupant positioned in front of the EOP partial blackout screen. The EOP partial blackout screen may be a perforated screen or a transparent screen configured to reduce the intensity of light coming from outside the vehicle.
[0043] The EOP partial blackout screen is configured to be assembled to the sun visor by a SAS2 assembly system so that the EPS opaque screen can be interposed between the EOP partial blackout screen and the PB windshield. In particular, the SAS2 assembly system is configured to allow the partial blackout screen to be placed against a principal upper face of the EPS opaque screen. This principal upper face of the EPS opaque screen corresponds to the face of the screen positioned opposite the passenger compartment when the opaque EPS screen is oriented vertically. Thus, the partial blackout screen EOP is placed between the opaque EPS screen and the PAV roof of the passenger compartment when the opaque EPS screen is raised towards the PAV roof of the passenger compartment.
[0044] Preferably, the partial blackout screen EOP has dimensions adapted so that the partial blackout screen EOP does not exceed the length and width of the opaque screen EPS. In this respect, its longitudinal and transverse dimensions are less than or equal to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the opaque screen. This makes it easier for a vehicle occupant to grasp and handle the opaque screen EPS.
[0045] Furthermore, the SAS2 assembly system forms a pivot joint between the partial blackout screen EOP and the opaque screen EPS. This pivot joint includes an axis AX2 parallel to the axis AX1 of the pivot joint formed by the SAS1 assembly system of the sun visor. The axis AX2 then extends along a longitudinal direction from the opaque screen EPS to the partial blackout screen EOP. This axis AX2 is oriented horizontally within the passenger compartment.
[0046] The SAS2 assembly system can be configured to allow the partial shading screen EOP to pivot around the AX2 axis by gravity. To achieve this, the SAS2 assembly system is configured to limit the mechanical resistance between the elements of the assembly system. Such pivoting by gravity simplifies the use of the partial shading screen because only the opaque part of the sun visor is handled by the vehicle occupant. However, it is also possible to provide a partial shading screen EOP that pivots around said AX2 axis by manipulating this partial shading screen EOP by a vehicle occupant.
[0047] The SAS2 assembly system of the DOP partial shading device allows the EOP partial shading screen to be assembled to an EPS opaque sun visor PS such that the EPS opaque screen is interposed between the EOP partial shading screen and the PB windscreen of the passenger compartment. The EPS opaque sun visor PS can therefore be used even when the EOP partial shading screen is assembled to the EPS opaque screen.
[0048] Furthermore, the SAS2 assembly system allows the angle between the opaque EPS screen and the partial opacity EOP screen to be varied. The opaque EPS screen can thus completely obscure a larger or smaller area of the partial opacity EOP screen, depending on the angle between the opaque EPS screen and the partial opacity EOP screen. For example, the opaque EPS screen can completely obscure the partial opacity EOP screen when both the opaque EPS screen and the partial opacity EOP screen are oriented vertically.
[0049] The opaque EPS screen may only partially obscure the partial blackout screen EOP when the opaque EPS screen is raised towards the windshield PB and the partial blackout screen EOP is oriented vertically. Such an assembly system SAS2 thus allows the level of blackout to be adjusted according to the needs of the vehicle occupant. The partial blackout device DOP therefore improves the comfort of the vehicle occupant.
[0050] Figures 2 to 4 illustrate different possible configurations of the SYS blackout system. Here, the EOP partial blackout screen is a perforated screen. However, alternatively, as previously mentioned, the partial blackout screen can be a transparent screen configured to reduce the intensity of light directed towards the eyes of the vehicle occupant.
[0051] Figure 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the SYS shading system in which the partial shading screen EOP and the opaque screen EPS of the sun visor PS are oriented in a raised position. In this raised position, the partial shading screen EOP is supported by the opaque screen of the sun visor and is positioned opposite the PAV roof of the passenger compartment.
[0052] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the SYS blackout system in which the partial blackout screen EOP and the opaque screen EPS are oriented in a fully blackout position. In this position, the opaque screen EPS and the partial blackout screen EOP are oriented vertically. To reach this position, the opaque screen EPS can be manually oriented by the vehicle occupant. The partial blackout screen EOP, on the other hand, can be driven by gravity when the opaque screen EPS is moved via the SAS2 assembly system of the partial blackout device DOP.
[0053] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the SYS blackout system in which the partial blackout screen EOP and the opaque screen EPS are oriented to allow partial blackout. In particular, the opaque screen EPS is raised towards the windshield PS and the partial blackout screen EOP is held in a vertical position. To reach this position, the opaque screen can be manually oriented by a vehicle occupant from the position illustrated in Figure 3.
[0054] Furthermore, the partial blackout screen EOP is held in a vertical position by gravity. The opaque screen EPS can obscure an area of the partial blackout screen EOP, the surface area of which varies according to the angle α between the opaque screen EPS and the partial blackout screen EOP. In particular, the more the opaque screen EPS is raised towards the windshield PB of the vehicle, the less the partial blackout screen EOP is obscured. Moreover, the area of the partial blackout screen EOP not obscured by the opaque screen EPS allows some outside light to enter the vehicle's passenger compartment.
[0055] Thus, an occupant of the vehicle can adjust the orientation of the opaque screen relative to the EOP partial blackout screen according to the desired level of blackout.
[0056] It is also possible to provide a retaining system (not shown) configured to hold the EOP partial blackout screen against the EPS opaque screen in any orientation of the EPS opaque screen. Such a retaining system can thus eliminate the need to use the partial blackout functionality offered by the EOP partial blackout screen. This retaining system may include a clip and / or magnets, etc., or any other suitable locking element.
[0057] Figure 5 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a partial shading device (DOP) in which the partial shading screen (EOP) is a perforated screen. The perforated screen is assembled to an opaque EPS screen of a sunshade (PS). The perforated screen has opaque portions that prevent light from passing through and openings (OPN) that allow light to pass through. These openings (OPN) may be empty or may have a filter to reduce the intensity of the light passing through the opening.
[0058] Such a perforated EOP screen thus reduces the brightness coming from outside the vehicle without completely blocking out the light. This perforated screen filters the light coming from outside the vehicle. By filtering the light, the perforated screen creates a warm atmosphere inside the vehicle. This perforated screen also provides greater privacy inside the vehicle by obstructing the view of the interior from outside the vehicle without completely blocking out the light.
[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the perforated screen comprises a set of perforated elements ELT assembled together. The perforated elements ELT may be identical or different from one another. In one embodiment, the perforated elements ELT are identical and have a contour that is at least substantially parallelepiped-shaped and a circular central opening OPN. The diameter of this central opening OPN is chosen according to the desired opacity of the perforated element ELT. The diameter of the central opening is smaller than the diameter of the circle inscribed within the dimensions of the perforated element ELT so as to leave a thickness of material, in particular of at least one millimeter, on the edges of the perforated element ELT around the central opening OPN. For example, the diameter of the central opening OPN may be between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters.
[0060] As an alternative to the illustrated perforated elements, it is possible to provide ELT perforated elements with other shapes. The OPN opening of the ELT perforated elements can be circular, triangular, rectangular, or, for example, have a random shape. The shape of the openings can vary between ELT perforated elements. The shape of the elements ELT openwork is chosen for example according to the shadow cast that can be obtained by the EOP partial occultation screen.
[0061] The OPN opening of each perforated element allows light to pass through. In addition, openings may also be present between the perforated elements to allow light to pass through.
[0062] Certain OPN openings can be obscured by the opaque EPS screen of the sun visor depending on the angle between the opaque EPS screen and the partial obscuring screen.
[0063] For example, in [Fig. 5], the openings located in a ZOT zone of the EOP partial blackout screen are blacked out by the EPS opaque screen, and the openings located in a ZOP zone of the EOP partial blackout screen are not blacked out by the EPS opaque screen and can thus allow light from outside the passenger compartment to pass through. The ZOP zone of the EOP partial blackout screen therefore provides partial blackout.
[0064] The assembly of the perforated elements can be flexible or rigid. In particular, each perforated ELT element can be flexibly or rigidly assembled to each surrounding perforated element.
[0065] The ELT perforated elements can be connected to each other by connecting elements. These connecting elements can be made of the same material as the perforated elements so as to form a monolithic perforated screen. Alternatively, it is possible to provide connecting elements separate from the perforated elements.
[0066] A flexible assembly between the perforated ELT elements improves the aesthetic appearance of the EOP partial blackout screen. This flexible assembly also allows for the production of sounds resulting, for example, from the impact of the perforated ELT elements against each other or from friction between the different elements of the EOP partial blackout screen during its movement. Such an EOP partial blackout screen thus enhances the user experience.
[0067] Preferably, the openwork ELT elements can have a shape adapted to hide the connecting elements from the vehicle occupants.
[0068] Alternatively, the perforated screen may comprise a plate having a plurality of slots. Other embodiments of a perforated screen are also possible depending on the desired partial opacity, and in particular depending on the desired shadow cast by the perforated screen.
[0069] The perforated screen can be manufactured using different manufacturing methods. For example, the perforated screen can be obtained by additive manufacturing, by molding or by machining.
[0070] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate an embodiment of a SYS shading system in which the DOP partial shading device is configured to be removably mounted on an opaque EPS sunshade PS. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate views of the SYS occultation system on each side of the opaque EPS screen of the PS sun visor.
[0071] The SAS2 assembly system of the DOP partial shading device includes an SFX mounting bracket. The SAS2 assembly system also includes at least one AELT assembly element that connects the EOP partial shading screen to the SFX mounting bracket. This at least one AELT assembly element is configured to form a pivot joint with the mounting bracket. This at least one assembly element may consist of rings and hooks assembled on one side to the SFX mounting bracket and on the other side to the EOP partial shading screen. In particular, the SAS2 assembly system forms a stress-free pivot joint over the entire operating range of the EPS opaque screen of the PS sunshade.
[0072] The SFX mounting bracket is designed to be removably assembled to the sun visor. In the illustrated embodiment, the SFX mounting bracket includes, for example, two hooks CCI, CC2. A first hook CCI is configured to be attached to a rod TGI of the SAS1 assembly system connecting the opaque EPS screen to an anchor point PA of the SAS1 assembly system of the sun visor PS. The anchor point PA allows the sun visor PS to be assembled to the PAV headliner of the vehicle's interior. A second hook CC2 is configured to be attached to the recess in the upper edge of the opaque EPS screen through which a rod TG2 of the SAS1 assembly system of the sun visor PS extends. This rod TG2 can be attached to a hook assembled to the headliner of the vehicle's interior to hold the sun visor and form a pivot joint about the AX1 axis.
[0073] Thus, the first hook CCI and the second hook CC2 can be assembled to the opaque EPS screen at locations that do not interfere with the pivoting of the opaque EPS screen. In particular, the arrangement of the first hook CCI and the second hook CC2 makes it possible to avoid them being wedged between an upper edge of the opaque EPS screen and the PAV roof of the passenger compartment. Indeed, the upper edge of the opaque EPS screen can be located a short distance from the roof of the passenger compartment. This distance can be less than the thickness of the first hook CCI and the second hook CC2, at least in certain orientations of the opaque EPS screen.
[0074] Alternatively or in combination, it is possible to provide other assembly elements than the CCI and CC2 hooks to allow removable assembly of the SFX fixing support.
[0075] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an SYS occlusion system in which the partial occlusion device DOP is permanently mounted to the sun visor.
[0076] The upper main face FPS of the opaque EPS screen has a cavity CAV in which the partial occlusion screen EOP of the occlusion device is housed partial DOP. The CAV cavity may have a depth corresponding to the thickness of the partial occlusion screen EOP.
[0077] The partial occlusion screen EOP of the partial occlusion device DOP is assembled to the opaque screen EPS by the assembly system SAS2 so as to be able to pivot about the axis AX2. The assembly system can be located in the cavity CAV of the opaque screen EPS or outside the cavity CAV.
[0078] The SAS2 assembly system may, for example, include a hinge.
Claims
Demands
1. Partial blackout device for a vehicle interior (PAV), the device comprising a partial blackout screen (EOP) and an assembly system (SAS2) configured to assemble the partial blackout screen (EOP) to an opaque screen (EPS) of a sun visor (PS) of a vehicle interior such that: - the opaque screen (EPS) of the sun visor (PS) is disposed between the partial blackout screen (EOP) and a windscreen (PB) of the vehicle, and - the partial blackout screen (EOP) is pivotally mounted relative to the opaque screen (EPS) of the sun visor (PS).
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly system (SAS2) is configured to form a pivot joint about an axis extending along a longitudinal direction of the sun visor (PS) between the partial occlusion screen (EOP) and the opaque screen (EPS) of the sun visor (PS).
3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the assembly system (SAS2) is configured to permit pivoting of the partial occultation screen (EOP) around said pivot joint axis by gravity.
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partial occlusion screen (EOP) has longitudinal and transverse dimensions less than or equal to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the opaque screen (EPS).
5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the assembly system (SAS2) comprises: - a removable mounting bracket (SFX) configured to be assembled to the sun visor (PS), and - at least one first assembly element (AELT) configured to assemble the partial blackout screen to the mounting bracket by forming said pivot joint.
6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the partial blackout screen (EOP) is a perforated screen.
7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the perforated screen comprises a set of perforated elements (ELT) assembled together.
8. A vehicle interior blackout system comprising: - a sun visor (PS) with an opaque screen (EPS),
9.
10.
11. - a partial shading device (PSD) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, assembled to the opaque screen of the sun visor (PS). System according to claim 8, wherein the partial shading device (PSD) is removably assembled to the sun visor (PS). System according to claim 8, wherein the partial shading device (DOP) is integrated into the sun visor (PS) in a non-removable manner. Vehicle comprising a cloaking system (SYS) according to any one of claims 8 to 10.